B.B.M.1930s: How to Ballast and Weather Track to Look Like the Real Thing (Weinert "Mein Gleis")

[@hoppercar]

This is the best weathering and ballasting work I have ever seen

[@trainman7084]

This is among the most realistic model railway track I've ever seen. Great job

[@EmperorsPath]

This is by far the most realistic ballast I have seen! what a great job! thank you

[@folkertvanwijk5168]

Realy pretty track and ballast work! Happy to have discovered your KZbin channel.

[@larrydee8859]

Excellent modeling tutorial! The texture and the color of both the trackwork and ballast is exquisite! Thank you for all your great modeling work!

[@braniganblue3460]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video and share your technique with everyone. Great job!

[@quychang4471]

The best track weathering on KZbin!

[@Kradmelder24]

So muss das!

[@awizardalso]

As an HO model train enthusiast here in the United States, I really how you made the tracks look authentic. For a junction, I had to make my own switch tracks for the tracks to fit right in a small area. I soldered the frogs and guard rails, and used a piece of hacksaw blade to cut out enough for the wheel flanges pass through.

[@Norm_MacLeod]

Those pics at the end looked real. Amazing.

[@zagijimzoo]

thats some dam good looking track boss!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing.

[@magnificus8581]

Ron, did you base your weather and ballast video on this? I just watched yours and it seems we were both inspired! About to do the same for the first time and want to get it right.

[@markcarey8426]

Superb. When you showed some track at the beginning I thought you were going to say "Here is the real thing that we are going to try to model".

[@johnmcwade1]

EXACTLY what I thought too! Most realistic model track I've ever seen!

[@kiwimunster]

Tidiest ballasting I’ve ever seen. Well done.

[@dgadver]

You are so talented... and patient!!!! Great work!!!

[@PeterHardwick-p1s]

The best ballasting video that I’ve seen.

[@officialbritishtaxpayer5609]

Some really good ideras here - I like the brush substitute - the veloured wooden block - and that you use really fine ballast: for 0 gauge I use 00 ballast: it just looks far better in my eyes. there's nothing lie looking at colour photos of real track for guidance on this kind of thing.

[@MrDavil43]

Gasp! Stunning track....why don't I see these videos until after I've ballasted my own track! Curses!

[@MH-wo1pm]

Thank you for sharing, this looks great.

[@bkarosi]

What brand of tracks did you use?

[@BBM1930s]

It's all "Mein Gleis" from Weinert Modellbau, take a look at the video here to learn more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn3Fe6uqn81rptEfeature=shared

[@davidr6585]

Now that's some of the best track weathering and ballasting I've ever seen.

[@inandhra]

Incredible work. It looks..... real !!

[@1BCamden]

Hi Alex, 2024 and this is still the best scale ballast laying method, since you originally presented this episode back in 2018. Since then I’ve looked at and thought about different options, but the result is sub standard, so I’m here again looking how it needs to be done if you want the prototypical finish. Creating the correct ballast, in your other episode, underpins the perfect result. Best regards

[@kevinmacomber1336]

This is brilliant modeling.

[@Trevor_Austin]

I really enjoyed that. The finished effect you achieved was excellent. Thank you for showing us how you did it.

[@HeavensGremlin]

That's the best video on ballasting I've ever seen. Excellent sir...!!!

[@nickname1812]

I too thought the first shot was of real track. Best I've seen. Rail colour and ballast mix the most convincing.

[@alancharles6789]

Beautifully narrated and some excellent tips thank you. The end result Is magnificent!

[@tomhiggins4124]

Excellent work sir !!!!!!!!.

[@medvedwwa]

Looks like the real thing. Perfect!

[@terrybrockhoff8168]

Loved the video

[@carolbage8300]

Hello, This my first look at your videos and this trackwork is really superb. So realistic. Thanks for the good advice. I look forward to trying these techniques myself. Thanks again, Bob

[@3dkdownloadablemodelrailwa199]

The best video I have seen so far on how to ballast track. Well done and thanks for the tips.

[@chuffatrainman]

Very good, most realistic, by far the best I've seen. Love the texture colours in the ballast. Thank you.

[@bobdutka1176]

Just found your video. Perfect... thank you!👍

[@chrissharp5073]

Outstanding Tutorial. A standard of modelling I wish to aspire too. Have saved this for reference when I come to ballast my track. Thank you for the inspiration

[@Trainmaster909]

What brand of track is that?! It looks incredible!

[@BBM1930s]

That's german model maker Weinert Modellbau, "Mein Gleis", see also my other video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn3Fe6uqn81rptE

[@АндрейГлушко-ц1л]

Thank you very much for doing this channel and sharing your experience.

[@davegregory4291]

very proffesional film. thank you. it looks great.

[@jasonjmarchi]

Your talent is amazing! Wondrous!

[@panoramix3192]

A true legend wow. Best I ever saw. Thank you :)

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

Extremely well done. Proper ballast size, the colour of it all etc. And it's wonderful to see the completed thing. Looks very realistic. Congratulations. Looking forward for more videos from you. All the best, Rafael.

[@liamgriffiths2756]

From Australia. Thanks for the idea to make individual brushes for evening out balast. Cheers Liam

[@andresu83]

Wow. Such an amazing result. Nice work!

[@teddroessler8566]

Beautiful job !

[@seanliao5139]

Thank you very much for showing us your fantastic technique on this. I am going to do my first railway track diorama, I do learn a lot from you. Really appreciated.

[@trevorhird3790]

Excellent work, really neat work Great product the fish plate from Weinert. Will be looking into those.

[@philray8297]

Thanks for uploading! This is fantastic craftsmanship with a tremendous result.

[@ichabod0391]

Nice job Rolf...!

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks, Rolf Weinert did definitely a great job by creating the "Mein Gleis" track system I´m using. In this video I missed to say my name: Alex. Thanks Cameron!

[@ichabod0391]

Sorry Alex... Great job...! @@BBM1930s

[@darenedwards63]

Thank you for sharing this video. It makes ballasting look so simple especially the technique you use. I'll be using your technique for my next ballasting episode on my layout.

[@larryexact9687]

Great job! Amazing results! Keep posting!

[@andreapellizzari5174]

Wonderful work !

[@graemeschulz7290]

Thanks for sharing your use of velour is a technique I'll be taking up

[@ScottTaipaleRail]

Nice effect. I shall try your broom tool for sure

[@johnbush7087]

On a par with special cinema effects!

[@nesnduma]

Brilliant! What's the reference of the ballast?

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks! I used N scale ballast 0,2-0,6mm grain size from www.gleisschotterschmiede.de „Gleisschotter Basalt Spur N/TT 0,2-0,6mm Koernung“ and „Gleisschotter erdbraun Spur N/TT 0,2-0,6mm Koernung“ I colored, see my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s

[@angeloabatangelo6423]

Veramente stupendo! Complimenti ancora! Ciao Angelo

[@Roelander]

Great work

[@TrainMaster24]

I really enjoyed this. Very good results

[@richardbraham2486]

Wow great job

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Wow that’s some awesome looking track you have there. Thanks for sharing I liked and subbed to your channel

[@karav8133]

Very nice, thank you.

[@Howie2025]

Beautiful track work and finishing. Is there a specific brand of ballast you prefer?

[@BBM1930s]

Absolutely, I use the excellent, almost dustfree and unexpensive fine ballast of gleisschotterschmiede.de. Have a look at my video about ballast: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s

[@joedoug3647]

Outstanding!

[@cardiffcanton4mm936]

Excellent video, thank you

[@robertbage5052]

Superb. Bob (UK)

[@rvnmedic1968]

Wonderbar! Beautiful workmanship, very realistic. I just can't get the ambition to do all that tie painting, etc. My layout will be on a 5' x 16' train board, with over 200' of track. I'm 73 so I don't think I would live to see it. LOL Cheers, Bob

[@jpbassseniorbasssenior323]

All N the detail 👍thx

[@mikecrees159]

very good

[@Panos6bft]

Really impressive but it doesn't requires a primer before airbrusing the rails in 1:25

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks Panos! I didn't notice any difference on how good the airbrushed paint sticks to the rails with or without a primer, maybe the one I used was not good enough. In both cases you can scratch the paint off the rail with a sharp or hard tool.

[@Panos6bft]

@@BBM1930sI also noticed that you are using acrylics versus enamel paints. I see the opinions here are divided. Half of the well known modellers use Acrylics, the other half use Enamels (better coating, firmly).

[@dadoutside]

Very good video! Thanks!

[@cravensdmufan4449]

A really interesting and well presented tutorial, thank you very much for sharing your expertise with us. Your track and ballast looks excellent, I will try your methods soon as I am in the process of rebuilding my layout. Thank you. I have subscribed to your channel. Vivian.

[@chairmakerPete]

Superb!

[@hoguesignature3273]

WOW!!! thank's for sharing :o)

[@MAX-yl4fu]

Che dire, tutto perfettamente realizzato, promette bene. Penso che ne uscirà un capolavoro. Ciao Massimo

[@andreazanzotto2754]

great, very interesting, my contrats

[@bumpingpost]

great video, great suggestions/tools, beautiful craftsmanship, never heard of that track supplier... very precise and high quality... wish they made north american track... thank you

[@kevinsharp6323]

Its so good it makes one feel inferior by comparison!

[@willparsons32]

Thanks for the video and now you can come and do my ballast!! lol!!

[@C-MAGs]

Great technique!

[@alansmall9071]

Wow looks amazing Great informative video keep up the great videos as they’re helpful even tho I have 20+ years of modelling skills and it’s always good to learn new techniques 👍🏻😊😊

[@andrewstevenson5449]

A beautiful result, well worth all the time it must have taken. The trackwork looks extremely realistic. Do your point lanterns rotate as the points change?

[@BBM1930s]

No, they don't. For two reasons: I found it is just too intricate and excessively time consuming to adjust them to align exactly 0°-90°. Furthermore turning laterns are only available as quite expensive kits. So to my regret I decided to have static laterns.

[@WaveMaker124]

@@BBM1930s Hi again, Alex. Your reply here answers the question that I was about to ask. Thank you. Which manufacturers offer the turning lantern kits? Steve.

[@BBM1930s]

Hi Steve, the lanterns are made by german Auhagen, „Weichenlaternenattrappen“ or „Signal point indicators“ part no. 41618, pack of 6. They are dummy, but ready to install, in perfect scale and nicely sharp edged. I realise now Auhagen has rised the price, too bad. Best, Alex.

[@andrewstevenson5449]

@@WaveMaker124 Weinert make moving ones, as well as illuminated ones. They are expensive. In the past you used to be able to get dummy point lanterns from Arnold: despite being for N gauge, they were about right for HO. I think they were made to fit into Arnold point motors, but I put them into small lengths of tube in the baseboard, so they could be turned to the right direction for photographs. The Arnold ones weren't as detailed as the Auhagen ones that Alex mentions, but were good enough. I imagine it would be relatively easy to 3D print them.

[@andrewstevenson5449]

@@WaveMaker124 I once built one of these Weinert Gleissperre and lantern: it was probably the fiddliest kit I ever built, but I got it working, though it didn't work as nicely as this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIDVh2hqepdslc0 (in case the link doesn't post, that's youtu . be / ROrV54E29_k).

[@magnificus8581]

This was fantastic! Thank you so much. Would you say that the brown ballast is more prototypical for Bavaria? I have seen mixed of red ballast as well.

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks Craig, the region here in this modelled section is southern Baden at the swiss border at Basel. For the ballast color mix I followed color photos from the 1950s. The brown is basically old break dust. The new layed ballast back in 1914, when the new Badischer Bahnhof was opened, seems to be bright gray almost white on old b/w photos. I didn't research historical ballast for Bavaria, the current ballast is shades of bright to dark, warm grey.

[@magnificus8581]

@@BBM1930s thank you so much for your response! This kind of information is hard to find, especially here in the US. So glad I came across your channel!

[@garyyurgil7119]

Hello. This is the best tutorial on track painting I have seen. I am sorry to repeat almost the same questions that Riccardo Saverri and Jan Kochanowski asked. When airbrushing the track, I have the Vallejo Leather Brown and only have craft paints. If I do not use the pigments and powder, what do you suggest for additional craft paints to add to the Vallejo? Were you trying to lighten or darken the Vallejo? Adding acrylic Burnt Umber would make it darker. Burnt Sienna would make it lighter. Would you use a 50-50 mix? Or just a little to slightly change the Vallejo? Thank you.

[@BBM1930s]

Hi Gary, thanks a lot. The original Vallejo leather brown just needs to become flat because it isn't out of the jar. Frequently used rails are a bit darker und more brown, sidings with low traffic are more rust reddish. Powder pigments make the leather brown flat. Alternatively add mat varnish, maybe starting with 20% varnish. Best, Alex

[@handlaidtrack]

Do the turnouts come with the tie plate detail? What manufacturer makes your track? Track in US does not have that kind of detail. I am trying to make this here in the states. Thank you

[@BBM1930s]

Yes, they do. The manufacturer is Weinert Modellbau, the track is called "Mein Gleis". For more details, have a look at this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn3Fe6uqn81rptE

[@davidcurtis5398]

The small switch stands, please where did you get them or did you make them???

[@BBM1930s]

The two piece cases are Weinert no.7212 Weichenantriebsattrappen and the lanterns are Auhagen no.41618 Weichenlaternenattrappen.

[@cbotello]

Great JOB!!! What kind of fabric do you use? Regards

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks, grazie Claudio. I guess you are asking for the manufacturers of track and ballast: Track: www.mein-gleis.de/ Ballast: www.Gleisschotterschmiede.de Take a look at this videos: Track: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn3Fe6uqn81rptE Ballast: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s In case you mean the fabric of the broom it´s short fiber velours.

[@elvictorof]

Hello, I'll ask questions that no one has asked. Since the internet translator isn't very good at technical terms, my request is could you write what paints (colors) you used to paint the rail sleepers? You mentioned mixing your own ballast for the rails, but we didn't find out what types (brands) or sizes (it looks like 0.5 mm or less) you used?

[@BBM1930s]

@elvictorof Hi, at 1:25 you find the colors for the sleepers. Let me add that at the end of the day it's a mix of leather brown, umbra and if needed some flat black to make it a bit darker.

[@BBM1930s]

@elvictorof For the ballast have a look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6sfeature=shared It's fine ballast starting 0.2mm.

[@nscaler454]

What did you use for ballast? It's a great color.

[@BBM1930s]

I colored fine grey ballast, see my video how to do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s

[@jankochanowski3252]

Hi. You are not happy wit ready matt paints and you add some matting agend. But what it is? I make tests with Revell Aqua and I have the same observation: this matt is a little bit satin, but what kind of matting agend should I add?

[@BBM1930s]

Hi Jan, there are several options. As mentioned in the video, I create my own paint by mixing pigments (pouder) with a matt medium, e.g. vallejo matt varnish. I discovered that by adding some "Klucel E", see link below, it gets even more matt. If you use ready liquid paint, than add some "matting pouder, germ. Mattierungspulver", found at elita.de, see link below. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I found "ak ultra matt varnish". Airbrush that varnish over finished models and everything become super flat. Links: shop.elita.de/epages/ElitaModelleShop.mobile/de_DE/?ObjectID=4457851 www.kremer-pigmente.com/de/klucel-e-63700.html

[@josephpowell736]

Super job applying your ballast. The most realistic looking result I’ve seen in a long time. What brand of ballast do you use?

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks Joseph. I used N scale ballast 0,2-0,6mm grain size from www.gleisschotterschmiede.de „Gleisschotter Basalt Spur N/TT 0,2-0,6mm Koernung“ and „Gleisschotter erdbraun Spur N/TT 0,2-0,6mm Koernung“ I colored, see my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s

[@peterpocock9062]

A beautiful job and well done. I like the idea of the latex glue. Also after I've painted and scraped the rail tops I then scrape the rounded insides on top of the rail. Just makes electrical contact a little better on the root radius of the wheels. Did you use N scale ballast? Also, the track looks like that made by Tillig is that so? The turnouts are very nice indeed!

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks, Peter. Yes, I used N scale ballast 0,2-0,6mm grain size from www.gleisschotterschmiede.de „Gleisschotter Basalt Spur N/TT 0,2-0,6mm Koernung“ and „Gleisschotter erdbraun Spur N/TT 0,2-0,6mm Koernung“ I colored, see my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s It's all track and turnouts from Weinert Modellbau, Germany, named "Mein Gleis": www.mein-gleis.de. See also my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn3Fe6uqn81rptE

[@julianlane8313]

Hi great tutorial and effects you have achieved. Is your ballast pre coloured to the brown you have got? Thank you.

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks Julian! Yes, I pre coloured the ballast separately in different shades of brown and then mixed them together. Take a look at my tutorial to see how easy it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6s. Best, Alex.

[@richardbraham2486]

What’s the mix of ballast stones?

[@BBM1930s]

The used ballast is a blend of separately colored ballast made with this simple method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4mxaJ2oj8lrp6sfeature=shared The raw ballast is N-scale from this shop: gleisschotterschmiede.de/shop22/

[@DepakoteMeister]

Hi Alex. Beautiful work. Time consuming, but clearly worth the extra effort. When you refer to 'wetting' or 'wetted water' do you mean water with dish soap liquid, water and (for example) isopropyl alcohol (IPA), or just isopropyl alcohol (IPA)?

[@BBM1930s]

Thanks! Yes, water with some dish soap would do the job. I use wetting agent for classic photography to avoid unnecessary substances from the dish soap in the mix.

[@DepakoteMeister]

@@BBM1930s Danke schön

[@kay-uweschaaf1070]

absolut top, nur ein kleiner Verbesserungsvorschlag: an den Herzstücken dürfen die nicht befahrbaren Schienen nicht blank sein...

[@BBM1930s]

Vielen Dank! Absolut richtig, inzwischen brüniere ich diese Oberflächen, denn ein Farbaufstrich wird beim nächsten Gleisputzen sofort abgewischt.

[@marcc3514]

Terrific !

[@fernandogagliardo6618]

Ciao Alex, mi sembra di vedere che posi direttamente i binari sul compensato senza usare i fogli di sughero. C’è un motivo? Grazie

[@BBM1930s]

Ciao Fernando, esatto, i binari di Basilea Badense sono incollati direttamente alle tavole di listellare da 22mm. Berlino invece ha 3mm di gomma sotto, una parte della rampa non in vista ha 5mm di gomma. Ho fatto delle prove con molti materiali per attenuare il rumore. Fatto è che una volta incollato il pietrisco l'effetto isolante di tutti i materiali si riduce radicalmente. Solo nei tratti nascosti senza pietrisco l'effetto attenuante della gomma è eccezzionale, il sughero è molto meno efficace. Quando i treni si muovono lentamente come a Basilea, una volta messo il pietrisco, c'è poca differenza tra gomma, sughero e legno diretto, però la tonalità del rumore mi sembra un pò più piacevole con la gomma. Più veloci viaggiano i treni, più vale la pena metterci la gomma sotto, il sughero è molto meno efficace. Saluti Alex

[@fernandogagliardo6618]

Perfetto, Grazie della dettagliata spiegazione. Scusa per tutte queste domande, ma sto imparando un sacco di cose interessanti sul tuo canale che nessun altro ha mai spiegato fin ora. Saluti e grazie ancora!

[@mikloschriste9719]

Awsome job congats!

[@irgendjemand9458]

Das Gleis sieht aus wie echt. Aber warum 2 Grenzzeichen? Ich kenne das nur mit einem Grenzzeichen in der Mitte. Sind die Weichenlaternen eigentlich angeklebt? Falls ja, warum nicht beweglich?

[@BBM1930s]

Meine Anlage spielt Anfang der Dreißigerjahre, Epoche II. Bei den Gleisanlagen der Deutschen Reichsbahngesellschaft DRG waren standardmäßig - wie gezeigt - zwei Grenzzeichen platziert. Erst später in der Nachkriegszeit ging die DB und DR zum einzelnen, mittigen Grenzzeichen über. Allerdings sieht man auf Fotos vereinzelt auch schon in den Dreißigern mittige. Die Weichenlaternen drehen nicht mit, nur für Fotos kann man sie von Hand zurechtdrehen. Der Zusammenbau der Weinert-Laternen und das Justieren ist sehr fummelig, ein enormer Zeitverlust, über 2h pro Weiche, sehr hohe Kosten. Ich habe mich dagegen entschieden, auch wenn mitdrehende Laternen zweifellos schöner wären. 86 Weichen sind verlegt, am Ende werden es über 200 sein, auch deshalb dieser Kompromiss... Liebe Grüße, Alex.